Meet the Jersey train fanatic using his tracks to help local causes

• ITV Channel presenter Megan Murphy went along to see what it's all about...

A Jersey train enthusiast has opened up his personal collection to help raise money for local charities.

Curtis Stanier has loved trains since childhood and rediscovered his passion back in 2021 when he decided to build his own track.

His display can be found in his back garden in St Mary, racking up an impressive 135 metres in length.

Despite this, Curtis says there is always more to do: "The running joke in the model railway community is that a railway is never finished.

"I do think I have run out of garden space, so the track will probably have to stay as it is. But I think the things that visitors will continue to see evolve is probably more scenery, more lights, more buildings.

"There's also a few more interesting technical challenges that I want to take on, which is computer control. So the idea would be that eventually, you won't need a manual operator, the trains will just do it themselves."

Curtis and his girlfriend open their garden to the public a few times a year, but each time they raise money for charities that are special to them.

Funds from this weekend's event will be going to Royals RFC and Jersey Rescue Dogs: "I love animals, I've got a dog myself and I think particularly for Jersey Rescue Dogs, obviously they do the rehoming and support with that, but they also do all of the education that comes around with having a rescue dog.

"I sometimes think humans don't deserve dogs, they're just amazing creatures. So to be able to support a charity that does such amazing work for them, I think is amazing."

More than £13,000 has been raised in the last three years, all going to help local causes like Dementia Jersey, Healing Waves and Finni's Ark.

Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know...